Hi babes this is to make up for the lack of Carter in the last chapter <3
My feet drags on the floor as I walk into the hospital I was in the process of replying to Carter's text but it seemed useless since he was standing in front of me at the front desk.
A lazy smile climbs onto my lips, "You stalking me, Carver?"
He turn towards me and he smiles, "That's a possibility, or I'm bringing Bumblebee to her appointment." I notice the golden retriever at his feet when he holds up the leach.
I close the distance between us pressing a quick kiss on his cheek, "Let me go get Astryd so she can check her in." I give Bumblebee a scratch behind her ear before stepping to walk away.
He catches my waist pulling me back to him with his firm arm locked around my waist, "And maybe I wanted to see you."
I place my hands on his chest looking around the room, "This is a work place which means I need to be professional. You should know this."
"And why is that?"
I step out of his hold, "You're a businessman Carver, or do you go around your office holding everyone you like?"
"Well I don't like everyone the way I like you."
The weak, stern facade I had going quickly crumbled at his words leaving a smile to take over my face.
I was too tired to fight the smile with his eyes watching mine and his hand reaches up to my cheek, his thumb stroking over the blush he caused.
"Still have to limit the affection at work." I swat his hand away as he chuckles.
"But I missed my girlfriend." He smirks stuffing his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
I look at him with wide eyes, "Girlfriend?"
His brows furrow as he nods, "Yes. I recall asking you to be with me."
"Oh, I just thought you didn't—" I stop myself shaking my head, "Never mind."
"Ivy did you not know I was your boyfriend?" He chuckle.
"Um, well, I knew but I didn't know, but I knew." I grimace at my poor answer.
He chuckles, "You didn't know. I'm sorry I should've been more specific. What time do you get off work?"
"Around five. Why?"
"I wanna take you out to eat, on a date, place of your choosing."
A bright smile takes over my face, "I would love that. I'mma go get Astryd she can take Bumblebee."
I head to the back room to check in and luckily Astryd was also there eating a breakfast burrito.
"Hey babes." I smile walking into the room.
"You didn't get much sleep last night did you?" She asked automatically making me frown.
I frown slightly, "Is it that obvious? I'm working on two hours of sleep."
"Aww honey, come here. You want a bite of my burrito?" She offers her food with a small smile.
I smile grabbing the burrito from her hands and taking a bite. I hum in approval, "Mm this good."
She snatch the burrito pit my hand, "Bitch I said a bite."
"I did take a bite!" I try not to exclaim with a mouthful of food.
"Then where half my burrito go? Done swallow it with your hungry ass." She grumble observing what's left of her burrito with grievance.
I hover my hand over my mouth as I try to suppress my laugh, "Not yet, I'm still chewing on it."
She kicks my leg, "Bet. Next time you got food I'm devouring it, and they'll be only crumbs left."
"I left you more than crumbs and remember a couple of seconds ago when you felt bad for me and my insomnia?" I poke her shoulder.
She scoffs, "That was before you inhaled most of my burrito."
I wrap my arms around her neck kissing her cheek, "I love you."
I laugh when she nudges me away, "Yeah whatever."
"Carter's at the front with Bumblebee for her appointment, could you check her in?"
She nods, "I would say let me finish my food, but you know."
I roll my eyes, "I'll buy you one on our lunch break."
She nods eating the rest of her burrito before leaving the room to handle the customer at the front desk, and I follow shortly after.
•••••••
When I got off work I was utterly exhausted but I pulled myself together to take a shower and get ready for my date with Carter.
Astryd was out of the apartment running errands.
I told him the place we were going to would be very casual so I dressed myself in a long, white low waisted skirt that ended at my ankles with a white tube top the stopped mid waist and also had two strings I tied into a bow. Though the main pop of color being me red lipstick.
As I put my sandals on I note to myself that it was time to get my nails done again since my left hand was missing two nails and the right was missing one and I accidentally broke one, which was painful.
I was double checking, making sure I had everything, when a knock sounds from my apartment door.
I smile putting my tote bag on shoulder and opening the door, but not before telling Lola good night.
When I open the door Carter stood there with a bouquet of sunflowers in hand.
"Girasoli per il mio girasole." The language rolls off his tongue as he spoke softly making my heart physically melt as I take the flowers from his grasp.
[Sunflowers for mi sunflower]
I did't completely understand what he said but I had an idea, and regardless it brought a soft smile to my lips that was specifically reserved him.
"Thank you, cariño." I press a kiss to his lips to which his hand gently grips my hips pulling me closer.
"Let me go put them in water." I mutter as he continued up peck innocent kisses one my lips making no move to let me go.
My smile was relentless.
"Carver!" I giggle loudly as his kisses moved to my jaw and neck.
Before I could break from his hold he bows his head and a giddy feeling runs through me as I stand on the tip of my toes kissing his forehead. I use my thumb to wipe my lipstick stain from his forehead and his lips.
"I missed you. It feels as if I haven't seen you in days." He complains as I officially unlock myself from his arms, following me into my apartment.
"You're getting clingy. I kinda like it." I chuckle taking an empty vase and filling it with water.
"I don't. It makes me appear needy."
I chuckle putting the flowers in the vase and placing it on the bar above the counter, "We're in a relationship, cariño, it's okay to be needy sometimes."
He smiles softly pulling me to him, again, and heat travels through my body at his warm touch splayed on my bare waist.
"I need a hug." He mutters and I turn around standing on the tip of my toes to wrap my arms around his neck.
His arms wrap around my waist tightly pulling my flush against him as he nuzzles his face into my neck.
He releases a deep breath.
"What's wrong? Rough day?" My fingers lightly brush through the hairs at the nape of his neck.
"There were some errors with our shipment at work and I had to correct them through a process that was more complicated than it should have been."
"Luckily you handled the problem and now we can go on our date." I bring his face from my neck, cupping his jaw, and pecking a kiss on his lips.
"Let's go I want to see the place you chose for our first date." He said patting my ass and I roll my eyes.
"It's a small, simple restaurant beautiful too. The restaurant is called Green Sun, it's one of my favorite places." I practically drag him out my apartment and he had to grab my bag off the counter because I almost forgot it.
"Don't say this place is vegan." He almost groans opening the car door for me.
"It's not vegan I promise. You'll understand the name when you get there." I said getting in the car and buckling my seatbelt.
He shuts the door walking around the car to get into the driver seat. Carter doesn't start the car, he just looks at me expectantly.
"What?"
"It's universally known that you need to tell the person giving you a ride your destination." He said with a smug grin.
I narrow my eyes as he watches me in amusement, "For your information I sent you the address, also you're not giving me a ride we're going on a date."
He chuckles, "I know. I wanted to get you back for when you had me shivering in your car while you were getting food."
"I had the heater on." I scoff and he laughs.
He pulls the directions up on the gps before he puts his keys in the ignition and he starts rot drive towards the restaurant.
When we get to the restaurant he parks in the closes available spot in the parking lot before getting out and opening my door for me.
Getting out the car I finally notice his 'casual' outfit, "Carver I said dress casual."
He was a wearing the classic black suit and tie with a suit jacket along with a silver watch. He looked beautifully expensive.
"This is my most casual suit." He states closing the car door before locking it.
We looked like total opposites, he looked professional and almost strict while my outfit was more flowy and carefree.
I roll my eyes trying to stop myself from laughing. "Do you own any pair of jeans?"
He nods uncertain, "Three pairs, possibly four."
He softly grasp my hand intertwining our fingers together.
"I can't even say I'm surprised. You don't seem like the jean type, more of a businessman twenty-four seven, even in your sleep, type." I smile nudging his bicep with my shoulder, since my shoulders couldn't really reach his, and he spares me an amused glance his lips twitching upwards.
When we approach the entrance Carter opens the door for me and I was a little caught off guard by the person walking out of the restaurant.
"Flor?" My abuela calls me with a smile but I don't fail to notice the confused glance she throws at Carter.
My fingers untangles from Carter's as I pull her into a hug. "Abuela? Qué estás haciendo aquí?"
[What are you doing here]
She doesn't answer my question casting Carter another glance, "Él es tu novio?"
[Is he your boyfriend]
Straight to the point.
I nod grabbing ahold of Carter's hands again, "Yeah, this is my boyfriend Carter. Carter this is mi abuela." I introduce the two and my abuela was looking at him skeptically.
"It is lovely to meet you." Carter gifts her with a charming smile slightly bowing his head.
Abuela smiles warmly, "It's wonderful to meet you, Carter. I hope you're treating mi flor right."
"There is no other way to treat someone special as she is." His soft eyes meet mine before turning his attention back to abuela.
If it was anyone else I would speak about how he would trip me for absolutely no reason, but I say nothing watching my boyfriend interact with my abuela.
Abuela chuckles smiling at him to me, "He's such a sweetheart." If only she knew he was the asshole I was complaining to her about a couple months ago.
"The sweetest." I agree.
"I have to go but visit and bring Carter with you mija." She quickly kisses my cheek.
Carter opens the door for her, "It was great meeting you, now I know where Ivy gets her beauty from."
"Gracias Carter." Abuela giggles softly hitting his shoulder as she exits.
"You done flirting with mi abuela?" I look at him unimpressed.
He chuckles kissing my cheek, "I want to be on her good side, girasole."
We walk further into the restaurant, "It's not her you should be worried about, my dad is the tough one." I scoff and he chuckles with his hand softly on my lower back guiding me as we walk.
We ask for a table of two and it was minutes before we were seated.
Greenery decorates the brick walls of the restaurant, vines and house plants, some real some fake with a few flowers, and as much as I love the plants the big skylight that makes up most of the roof was my favorite part.
The skylight brought in natural light and it almost makes me feel as if I'm outside at times.
"You we're right," Carter voices, "It is beautiful."
"And if you look at the menu they have meat options."
He chuckles looking at the menu.
I couldn't help but admire how beautiful he looked with his hair neatly combed back, his golden eyes that seemed to glow brighter under the sun were focused on the laminated folder, and the stubbles along his lower face created a shadow that defined his jaw perfectly.
I tap his leg with my sandal capturing his attention, "You look beautiful."
A faint blush paints over his cheeks giving away his nonchalant expression, "Isn't that my line?"
I shrug sheepishly, "I said it first."
He closes his menu, placing it on the table, and folding his hands on top of it. "Well, Ivy Marigold Taylor, you are beautiful."
I bite my lips to try and fight the smile forcing itself on my lips due to the nervousness swirling in my stomach creating a warmth that spreads throughout every part of body.
"Thank you." I glance down at the menu, "Do you have an idea of what you're getting?"
He nods, "The ribeye steak with a loaded baked potato."
I hum looking for his order on the menu, "That sounds good. Imma get the chicken avocado sandwich and has this amazing sauce, which is awesome because I hate dry sandwiches with no sauce." I huff.
Carter chuckles, "I like my sandwiches with little to no sauce, I don't like how soggy it makes the bread." He shrugs.
I make a face explaining, "That's because you need to toast the bread to make it perfect."
He shakes his head, "I don't think it makes a difference."
"I wasn't gonna get any sautéed mushrooms on my sandwich but I am now, and I'll probably kiss you after." I shrug glancing at him teasingly referring to his allergy of mushrooms.
His deep, gruff chuckle causes hairs to raise on my arm. "You're out to get me, girasole."
I couldn't help but to smirk, "Maybe I am."
He shakes his head, his tongue skimming over his plump lips, "But you already have me, Ivy. There's no need to waste your energy getting something you already have."
My eyes are drawn to his lips.
His chair scrapes against the floor, drawing my attention, as he stands up, "Get up."
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, "Are you bossing me around?"
A charming smile climbs to him lips, "If you think this is me bossing you around there will be a few more surprises in this relationship."
My lips part in confusion, but also anticipation.
My eyes follow him as he makes his way over to me and my sense were heighten, while my body and mind were aware of his close proximity as he leans down. His lips level with my ear as he whispers, "I don't like how far you're sitting from me."
I turn my head seeing that his lips were only mere inches from mine, and I smile. "You're being clingy."
He stands up straighter towering over me, "We are in a relationship. It's okay to be clingy sometimes." He grins.
I chuckle at his use of my words standing up from chair and he moves it closer to him.
He pushes in my chair as I sit down before sitting in his, and I felt the warmth of his hand splayed in my thigh through the thin cotton fabric of my skirt.
The waiter soon comes and take our order for drinks, I get a green ice tea with lemon while Carter just gets a water.
We talk about a wide variety of things from work to families and I was careful not to lay on my daddy issues too thick as we converse.
Throughout our conversation our waiter takes our order. I get the sandwich without any tomatoes.
"What happen to Trash?" I asked.
He looks at me in confusion, "Trash?"
"The cute little raccoon I saved from the trash." I elaborate.
His eyes gleam with realization, "Her name is Prime and I haven't seen her in a couple of days since I let her out the backyard. She usually just comes back every once in a while."
"You let her run wild?"
"Well she is a wild animal, Ivy." He said with an obvious tone casting me a glance.
I scoff nudging my knee with his.
"You doing anything tomorrow?"
He shakes his head, "Besides working I am spending the night at yours."
I tilt my head slightly as my brow furrow, "Were you going to make me aware of these plans?"
"I just did." He sips his water.
"Smartass." I muttered drinking my tea. My lipstick had stained the tip of the straw, and I catch his eyes gazing upon my lips.
"I was joking. I was going to ask if I could stay at yours." He grins grabbing my hand to bring to his lips but I pull it out of his hand.
"Don't. My nails are messed up I need to get them done." I shake my head.
"I don't care, girasole." He grabs my hand again kissing where my palm and wrist meets.
The waiter comes with our food and we eat and talk until we were both full and satisfied.
He lays for the check as we take to-go boxes and as we leave the restaurant with fingers interlocked I kiss his cheek, leaving a faint, red print of my lips on his skin.
"I'd say this was a good first date, you were a little sassy at times." I grin.
He smiles down at me, "Sassy?"
I nod firmly, "Indeed."
Carter follows me to the passenger side as we get to car and instead of unlocking the car he turns me around to face, and when I almost lose my balance I grab onto his shoulders and his hands hold my waist.
"I've been wanting to do this for the past hour." He murmurs before crashing his lips onto mine.
I made a noise in surprise but his lips muffled the noise as they press against mine, soft and sweetly, and my eyes flutter close.
My back is against the car door but his hands hold my waist keeping my body to his while I wrap my arms around his neck.
He gasp and I take advantage slipping my tongue through the gateways of his lips and he makes a sound of approval as his lips, his body, immediately reacts to mine.
His hands grip my waist tightly, his lips and tongue moving against mine, his body leaning into me.
His body was a match that lit mine to a flame at his touch, and I was burning.We were burning.
We had break the kiss to obtain oxygen but Carter didn't stop. He pecks kisses on my swollen lips over and over again.
"Carver we have to go." I mutter laughing before meeting his lips again.
"Okay, okay." He sighs resting his forehead against mine before he moves me to open the door for me.
I get in the car buckling myself up before I pull down the sun visor looking in the mirror.
My lipstick was smudge and my lips were pink and swollen. When Carter gets in the car I noticed his lips were in the same state as mine with my red lipstick smeared on them.
"One more." He mutters leaning over the console and landing a kiss on my lips.
"Satisfied?" I giggle.
He starts the car, "Haven't concluded yet." He smiles.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if y'all have any ideas don't be afraid to comment them and I'll do my best <3
<3💄